Anti-cellulite shorts work wonders

Posted: 2014-04-16

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No matter what size you are or what shape you're in, chances are you're plagued by cellulite. You can spend hours on the treadmill or cooking healthy meals, but it's all futile when it comes to those butt-ugly lumps of fat on your bum and thighs.

"The more fat you have, the more obvious the cellulite will be," says Dr. Jeffrey Bonabio, a board-certified dermatologist and a voluntary assistant clinical professor at the University of California San Diego. "However, even thin, athletic women have cellulite."

But what if a magic piece of clothing - say, a pair of tight little shorts - could massage it all away? A few fitness brands are claiming that their shorts do exactly that.

If that's so, anti-cellulite shorts are a beauty miracle, because experts say that the appearance of cellulite can be minimized but not eliminated. And despite the multi-billion- dollar cosmetic-surgery business, there's no procedure that will cure it.

Manufacturers of anti-cellulite shorts say their products - which look like bike shorts and are designed to be worn alone or under clothing - target these fat layers. An Italian company called Solidea sells Micro-Massage Anti-Cellulite Compression Shorts for $65 a pair. The company claims their shorts use "compression and stimulation to detoxify the tissues " and "boost the circulation of oxygenated blood to assist in removing toxins and waste." In other words, the heavy weave of the shorts presses into your skin as you move, forcing excess water to drain out from around the fat cells.

If you do decide to give these products a shot, be prepared to get intimate with them - you'll need to wear your shorts nonstop to notice any difference. You may be able to use them as a short-term fix for a big event or beach vacation, but you should make sure those shorts are practically glued to your hips. Wear them in the weeks leading up to a beach trip and in between sunbathing sessions. Dr. Sobel recommends that those who take the plunge for a vacation wear them every second possible, including in the hotel room before you hit the sand or head out for a hot date night. "It's like Cinderella," he says, "get [to your event] at nine and leave before midnight," lest the returning dimples interrupt your fun!